Edward “Ted” Barham, a Christian minister in Dearborn, Michigan, has publicly shared that Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told him he was “not welcome here” during a recent city council session. The confrontation occurred after Barham raised objections to new signs placed along Warren Avenue honoring publisher Osama Siblani.
Barham delivered a speech in which he quoted Siblani’s past remarks—statements that Barham interpreted as supportive of organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas—and argued that the signage was provocative. He said his intent was rooted in faith and a call for peace.
In response, Mayor Hammoud accused Barham of being a bigot, stating that although Barham resides in Dearborn, he was “not welcome” in the public discourse around this issue. The mayor defended Siblani’s contributions to the community and emphasized that the decision to install the signs was made by county authorities, not the city council.
Barham told reporters he chose to respond to the mayor’s words with a message of compassion, saying, “God bless you,” and cited Christian teachings about loving one’s enemies. He also noted that while he felt marginalized by the exchange, he remains committed to speaking on matters of faith, free speech, and community representation.
The episode has stirred debate in Dearborn, a city with a large Muslim population, over cultural diversity, public honors, and whether elected officials should be more inclusive of differing religious and political viewpoints.